Symposium Begins on Cyber Security Issues

Today the first ever National Cyber Security Symposium began in Belize City. The Symposium is being hosted by the Belize Public Utilities Commission in response to a growing incidence of cyber-threats within the country. The five-day meeting sees the participation of a broad range of local, regional and international delegates, including heads of technology organizations, industry executives, government ministers and public sector officials tackling the subject of cyber security in Belize. Executive Director of the Caribbean Network Operators Group, CaribNOG, Bevil Wooding says while the forum is a first for Belize, the scale of the forum is a first in the wider Caribbean region.

BEVIL WOODING

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Wooding goes on to explain that the effort is defining a model that the Caribbean can follow, as stakeholders will be pioneering and leading the framing of a new mechanism and approach to cyber security that is more relevant and more appropriate to the entire Caribbean. But there is much work ahead. While stakeholders and participants will be discussing policy and legistlation, Wooding says a key part is awareness. This is why the general public forms a part of the forum since it is the more vulnerable part of the society in regards to cyber issues.

BEVIL WOODING

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The week long forum will conclude in the drafting of the first ever National Cyber Security framework for Belize, another first for the country.

BEVIL WOODING

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Wooding says the timeline to have the document tabled is by the end of 2017. Taking part in the discussions and assisting Belize in the process is the US Embassy in Belize says Charge d’ Affaires Adrienne Galanek.